Vibration-Type Actuator Foamed Siloxane Damping for Low-Temperature Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vibration-type actuators using non-leaded piezoelectric materials experience a significant increase in power consumption and decreased driving efficiency at low temperatures, particularly below the glass-transition temperature of materials like felt, which hinders stable operation.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a foamed member with a siloxane bond as the main skeleton and an average equivalent circle diameter of bubbles greater than 120 μm between the pressure member and the vibration body, which acts as a vibration attenuation member while maintaining pressure uniformity, to prevent power consumption increases and ensure efficient operation across a wide temperature range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If a pressure member with high rigidity is used to uniformly apply pressure to the vibration body, then pressure uniformity is improved, but the vibration of the vibration body is hindered and drive characteristic is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
A foamed member is introduced as an intermediary component between the pressure member and the vibration body. This foamed member has a skeleton made of siloxane bond with specifically controlled bubble diameter (100-500 μm), allowing it to transmit pressure uniformly while maintaining vibration attenuation properties that prevent hindrance to the vibration body's motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the vibration attenuation member by specifying the bubble diameter range (100-500 μm) and skeleton material (siloxane bond). These parameter changes enable the member to maintain appropriate hardness and elasticity across a wide temperature range, particularly preventing hardening at low temperatures while still providing uniform pressure transmission.
2Reliability
If felt is used as a vibration attenuation member, then vibration isolation is improved, but power consumption increases significantly at low temperatures (≤ -20°C) due to hardening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material composition and structural parameters of the vibration attenuation member by using a foamed structure with siloxane bond skeleton and controlling bubble diameter to 100-500 μm. This prevents the material from hardening at low temperatures, maintaining both vibration isolation capability and acceptable power consumption levels across the operating temperature range.
Solution Approach 2:
The foamed member combines siloxane bond material with a controlled foam structure, creating a composite that maintains flexible properties at low temperatures while providing effective vibration attenuation. The specific bubble diameter range creates an optimal balance between structural integrity and flexibility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces power consumption and maintains driving efficiency at low temperatures, enabling stable operation from -30°C to 60°C, while preserving efficiency at room temperature.
Implementation Method 1
The vibration body includes an electric-mechanical energy conversion element, such as a piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
a foamed member arranged between the pressure member and the vibration body. The foamed member contains, as a main skeleton, a siloxane bond including silicon and oxygen, and an average equivalent circle diameter of bubbles contained in the foamed member is greater than 120 μm
Data Source
AI summary
A vibration-type actuator includes a vibration body including an electric-mechanical energy conversion element with a lead content of 1000 ppm or less, and an elastic body having a plate portion and protrusions protruding in a direction intersecting with a main surface of the plate portion, and a contact body in contact with the protrusions. The vibration body and the contact body are relatively moved by vibration of the vibration body. The vibration-type actuator further comprises a pressure member pressing the vibration body against the contact body and a foamed member arranged between the pressure member and the vibration body. The foamed member contains, as a main skeleton, a siloxane bond including silicon and oxygen, and an average equivalent circle diameter of bubbles contained in the foamed member is greater than 120 μm.